CI/SfB

(32) Xt7
March 1998

Best
practice
guide
Panic and emergency
exit devices
to
BS EN 1125 & BS EN 179

in association with

BRITISH
HARDWARE
FEDERATION

Extracts from BS EN 1125:1997 and

BS EN 179: 1998 are reproduced
with the permission of BSI.
 ABHM Best practice guide: Panic and emergency exit devices

• ABHM BEST PRACTICE GUIDES

This publication is one in a series of guides
addressing the major issues that should be
considered when specifying, ordering or using the
products it describes. It aims to provide the reader
with a concise document which includes a summary
of relevant sections from the new European product
standards. The reader will then be in a position to
seek further specialist advice where necessary and
recognise GENUINE conformity to the new standards.
Type A: Panic latch push Type B: Panic latch touch
• BS EN 1125 - Panic exit devices bar bar
Experience relating to escape from buildings and
general safety have made it desirable that doors at • SCOPE - BS EN 179
exits in public buildings, places of entertainment, The main purpose of the performance requirements of
shops etc., should be fitted with panic devices this standard is to give safe and effective escape
operated by a horizontal bar. The emphasis for through a doorway with one single operation to release
products covered by this standard is on safe exit the device although this can require prior knowledge
rather than security. of its operation, i.e. for locked doors on escape routes
where panic situations are not foreseen.
• BS EN 179 - Emergency exit
devices
This standard covers devices to be used in
emergency situations where people are familiar with
the emergency exit and its hardware and therefore a
panic situation is most unlikely to develop. Lever
handle operated escape mortice locks or push pads
may therefore be used.

These standards provide details on product types,

classification by use, test cycles, door mass, corrosion
Type A: Emergency Type B: Emergency
resistance, as well as definitions, product performance device lever handle device push pad
requirements, test apparatus, test methods and marking
of products. In addition, the published standards include • CLASSIFICATION
annexes illustrating the various points made through BS EN 1125 and BS EN 179
diagrams and supplementary text. Complete editions of These Standards classify panic and emergency exit
the standards can be obtained from Customer Services, devices by using a 9 digit coding system. A similar
BSI Standards, Chiswick High Road, London W4 4AL. classification system applies to all building hardware
product standards so that complementary items of
BS EN 1125 replaces BS 5725 which is withdrawn. hardware can be specified to, for instance a common
BS EN 179 is a new standard. level of corrosion resistance, category of use, etc. Each
digit refers to a particular feature of the product
• SCOPE - BS EN 1125 measured against the Standard’s performance
The main purpose of the performance requirements of requirements.
this standard is to give safe and effective escape
through a doorway with minimum effort and without Digit Digit Digit Digit Digit Digit Digit Digit Digit
prior knowledge of the device, i.e. for locked doors on 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
escape routes where panic situations can be
foreseen.
Digit 1 - Category of use
Only one category is identified, that being
- grade 3: high frequency of use by public and others
with little incentive to exercise care.

Digit 2 - Number of test cycles

Two categories of durability are defined:

- grade 6: 100 000 cycles.

- grade 7: 200 000 cycles.

Type A: Panic bolt push Type B: Panic bolt touch

bar bar
 ABHM Best practice guide: Panic and emergency exit devices
Digit 3 - Test door mass
Two categories of test door mass are identified:
- grade 5: up to 100 kg.
- grade 6: up to 200 kg.
Digit 4 - Fire resistance
Two categories of fire door resistance are identified:
- grade 0: not approved for use on fire/smoke door
assemblies.
- grade 1: suitable for use on fire/smoke door
assemblies, subject to satisfactory assessment of the
contribution of the panic/emergency device to the fire
resistance of specified fire/smoke door assemblies.
Digit 5 - Safety
All panic and emergency devices have a critical safety
function therefore only the top grade - 1 - is identified
Digit 6 - Corrosion resistance
Two grades of corrosion resistance are identified
according to prEN 1670:
- grade 3: High resistance.
- grade 4: Very high resistance.
Digit 7 - Security
Products covered by BS EN 179 have 3 identified
categories and have the opportunity of greater security
than devices covered by BS EN 1125. This is because
BS EN 179 devices are subject to testing with doors
under greater pressure.
BS EN 179
- grade 2: 1 000 N.
- grade 3: 2 000 N.
- grade 4: 3 000 N.
BS EN 1125
Only one category of security is identified
- grade 2: panic devices are primarily for the operation
of a door from the inside. Safety considerations will
always be given priority over security.
Digit 8 - Projection of device
Two grades are identified relating to the projection of the
device from the door face:
- grade 1: projection up to 150 mm (standard projection).
- grade 2: projection up to 100 mm (low projection).
Digit 9 - Type of device
Two categories are identified for each standard:
BS EN 179
- type A: emergency device with lever handle operation.
- type B: emergency device with push pad operation
BS EN 1125
- type A: panic device with push bar operation
- type B: panic device with touch bar operation
Example:
The following marking denotes a panic exit device
tested to 200 000 operations for a door mass up to 200
kg, suitable for fire door use with very high corrosion
resistance and low push bar projection. Type A.
3 7 6 1 1 4 2 2 A
• MARKING
(a) Manufacturer’s name or trademark or other means of
positive identification.
(b) Classification as detailed.
(c) The number of the European standard.
(d) The month and year of final assembly by the
manufacturer.
Note: This information can be in coded form. Items (b)
and (c) should be clearly visible after installation.
• FIRE DOOR ASSEMBLIES
The panic or emergency exit device representative of its
type shall have been subjected to a successful fire test
to prove the contribution of the device to the fire
resistance of the complete door assembly. Such
assessments are outside the scope of these European
standards but are covered by BS 476: Pt. 22 which
remains in force.
• SPECIFICATION ISSUES
- The decision as to which products are specified should
be made on the basis of the building use and
occupancy. Products incorporating a cross bar
(BS EN 1125) to operate the exit device must be used in
public buildings, places of public entertainment, shops
and any other location where the building occupants do
not have prior knowledge of the escape device and
where a panic situation can be foreseen.
- Products incorporating a push pad or lever handle to
operate the exit device (BS EN 179) should only be
used where building occupants are familiar with the
emergency exit and its hardware and where panic
situations are not foreseen.
- If there is any doubt about the conditions relating to
building occupancy, the ABHM recommends that
devices covered by BS EN 1125 should be specified.
- For safety reasons the push bar of a type “A” panic
device shall not protrude beyond either of the end
supports. This means that for pairs of rebated doors, the
traditional British designed “double panic bolt” will not
be permitted. An acceptable solution is for a single
vertical panic bolt to be fitted on the “inactive leaf” and a
panic latch on the “active leaf”.
- A grade 2 (low projection) panic device should be used
in situations where there is restricted width for escape
or where doors are not able to open beyond 90°.
- Panic device push and touch bars should be installed
to provide the maximum effective length but never less
than 60% of the door leaf width.
 Additional important considerations
• QUALITY ASSURANCE
The internationally recognised standard for quality
assurance, BS EN ISO 9000 provides confidence
that the products are being manufactured to a
consistent quality level. All ABHM members operate
recognised BS EN ISO 9000 Quality Assurance
Schemes.
Companies displaying this symbol are
registered under the BSI Registered Firm
Scheme.
• SUPPORT SERVICE
The correct installation of panic and emergency exit
devices is essential to ensure that they are able to
operate efficiently within the performance levels
described in this standard. Specialist advice is
available from ABHM members in support of their
products from specification stages through supply to
effective operation on site.
ABHM PROFILE
Formed in 1897 to represent the interests of brassfounders, the
ABHM and its members have been instrumental in the
industry’s advancement over the last 100 years.
Innovations in material and manufacturing technologies as well
as changes in the building industry throughout the world have
resulted in the development of a wide range of new products
and practices. These advances have, in turn, required new
skills and knowledge from the designer and manufacturer of
the products themselves through to the specifiers, stockists and
installers in the various sectors of the building industry.
The association and its members have consistently risen to this
challenge, creating products which meet the needs of a
changing world and developing performance standards
alongside national and international organisations, such as BSI
British Hardware Federation
BHF represents some 3,500 ironmongery, hardware and DIY
shops in the United Kingdom. In addition, it embraces the
Independent Builders Merchants Service, a specialist division of
the Federation.
Builders Merchants’ Federation
The Builders Merchants’ Federation represents the majority of
bona fide merchants in the UK. Its members have a combined
turnover of £6 billion a year. Members range from large nationals
to small independents.
Unless stated otherwise, references in this document to BS EN 179 refer to BS EN 179:1998 and BS EN 1125 to BS EN 1125:1997.
Information in this guide is correct at time of publication and intended for guidance only. Information may since have changed and readers should consult the appropriate standards
and authorities to confirm its veracity.
• CE MARKING & AUDIT TESTING
These standards have been prepared as
“harmonised” standards to demonstrate conformity
with the requirements of European directives and as
such it is intended that the products will in due
course carry the ‘CE’ Mark. Until this final decision is
made, CE marking is not permitted. As they have a
critical life/safety function it will be necessary for
manufacturers to operate a quality system such as
ISO 9000 and have products tested in the
manufacturer’s factory at intervals of not more than 6
months and by an independent laboratory or test
house at intervals of not more than 1 year.
• CONFORMITY
Conformity to the standard must be clearly and
unequivocally stated. Such phrases as “tested to ...”,
“designed to conform to ...”, “approved to”, are not
sufficient. To avoid misleading or confusing claims it
is recommended that one of the following phrases is
used when stating conformity.
“This product has been successfully type-tested for
conformity to all of the requirements of
(BS EN 1125*/BS EN 179*), including the additional
requirement for (fire/smoke door use*). Regular audit
testing is undertaken. Test Reports and/or Certificates
are available on request.”
* state as appropriate.
and CEN, which enable the industry to select and compare
hardware with confidence.
The advances made throughout the industry are reflected in
the Association’s structure, the diversity of its membership and
the wide range of activities in which it is involved. The ABHM
now represents the United Kingdom’s leading manufacturers of
builders’ hardware, architectural ironmongery and door and
window fittings as well as providing the technical expertise
essential for the formulation of performance standards at home
and abroad.
All members are listed in a Product Guide which includes an
easy to use matrix of products and services available from
each member.
Guild of Architectural Ironmongers
Founded in 1961, the Guild represents 95% of bona fide distributors
within the UK and the majority of manufacturers of architectural
ironmongery. The Guild serves to further all aspects of architectural
ironmongery by promoting the interchange of information to
encourage better product design and high professional standards of
ironmongery scheduling and specification.
Master Locksmiths Association
The MLA is recognised by the Home Office, Police and The British
Standards Institution as being the authoritative body for
locksmithing. It was formed to promote the membership to Central
and Local Governments, Industry, Commerce and the Public.
ABHM
42 Heath Street, Tamworth, Staffs B79 7JH
Tel: 01827 52337 Fax: 01827 310827
PS4665/16K/0398